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Saber is the fastest of fencing's three weapons. The target area is the entire body above the bend in the hips, including the head. Unlike in foil and epee, saber fencers can score with the tip or the edge of the blade.
Sada Jacobson is ranked No. 1 in the world, and Zagunis is ranked fourth. Tan is No. 5.
With so many highly skilled fencers competing, factors beyond skill and preparation come into play.
"At this stage of the game, it's completely mental," Zagunis said.
She nearly didn't make it to this stage, just missing out on qualifying for the Olympics in April. She didn't earn a spot on the U.S. team until June, when the Nigerian Olympic Committee declined to have its fencer participate in the competition.
That opened up a spot in the field, which Zagunis filled as the highest-ranked fencer in the world who had not already qualified.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2004, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved
